Donations are down for annual school supplies drive
Spokane Valley Partners collecting classroom necessities for low-income students
September is all about crisp new sheets of paper, freshly sharpened pencils and colorful new backpacks stuffed with school supplies. But some Spokane Valley kids might have to do without if more donations of school supplies don’t materialize at Spokane Valley Partners.
Valley Partners holds a school supplies drive every summer to outfit low-income children with classroom necessities. Demand is up this year and donations are down.
“It’s starting off awful slow,” said development director Don Kaufman. “School’s a little early this year, so everything is moved up.”
Since St. Vincent de Paul closed earlier this year, Spokane Valley Partners has seen an 11 percent increase in the number of needy people coming through the doors. A similar increase in the number of low-income students needing school supplies would bring the number to nearly 1,500.
Part of the problem is that families that might buy a few extra items and drop them in the donation barrel are saving their money to outfit their own children. “I think those families are just stretched this year, between gas and food prices,” Kaufman said. “It’s impacting a lot of people.”
Valley Partners has received a small boost with the donation of $5,000 by Spokane Teachers Credit Union. “Backpacks will be the main thing we purchase with that,” he said. “They’re a little more expensive. We do get them, but we don’t get nearly what we need.”
What are needed are basic items such as paper, notebooks, folders, rulers, pens, pencils and erasers. Each child gets a backpack filled with grade-appropriate supplies.
Families must show proof of income to receive school supplies and must sign up for a life skills class. The classes will be offered in the afternoons and evenings Friday through Aug. 19. Parents can register by calling 927-1153. School supply distribution is scheduled for Aug. 21 and 22.
Not only is Kaufman nervous that there won’t be enough for children who sign up for supplies, he’s also worried about being able to help teachers who call in September, looking for donated supplies for students. The effort to give pencils and paper to everyone who needs them continues throughout the year.
“We probably gave away 30 or 40 backpacks through the school year for kids who moved in with nothing or with very little,” Kaufman said.